Less than three years after moving into the Chicago area, theBrooklyn, N.Y.-based Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union says its expansion hasbrought in more than $100 million in deposits and 9,000 newmembers.

The $1.5 billion, 78,000-member credit union, the largestethnically based credit union in the nation, opened two branches in Chicago in 2010 and another in the heavily Polish Chicago suburb of Bridgeview in2011.

The credit union also reported that the Illinois branches hadgenerated $72 million in personal and mortgage loans.

“Opening new branches in Illinois was a natural step forward inthe growth of our credit union. With the changing dynamics of thePolish population in the U.S., we needed to start expanding to newmarkets and Chicago was an obvious choice,” said MarzenaWierzbowska, chairperson of the PSFCU board of directors.

“The efforts by Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union toserve the growing needs of the Polish American community in theChicago area have been nothing less than outstanding,” said NCUABoard Member Michael Fryzel.

“Having reached $100 million in deposits in less than threeyears at their three Chicago branches is a clear indication oftheir vision and analysis of the need for credit union services forthousands of individuals,” said Fryzel, a Chicagoan of Polishdescent.

“When I attended the opening of their first Chicago branch Iknew that the credit union would be successful. They have proventheir abilities beyond my expectations and I expect continuedgrowth and success as a result of their efforts and commitment,” hesaid.

Of the credit union's 15 branches, all but the three Chicagolocations are located in New York or New Jersey.